The State of Magic: The Gathering Heading into Universes Beyond Spider-Man

Greg Montique
Sep 5
3 min read

Magic: The Gathering has been around for over three decades (I'm 27 years in), and each year it continues to try and reinvent itself while holding onto the core gameplay millions of players love.

As we look ahead to the upcoming Universes Beyond: Spider-Man release, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the current state of Magic: The Gathering. Where is MTG right now, and how do future crossovers fit into the bigger picture?

A Game in Constant Evolution

If there’s one thing Magic has proven, it’s that it refuses to stay still.

Armored woman with glowing sword leads shadowy figures in dynamic scene. Her hair flows, creating a sense of motion against a dark backdrop.

The past few years have seen:

Powerful Standard sets like Tarkir Dragonstorm and Edge of Eternities are reshaping competitive play.
Commander’s continued dominance as the most popular format, with precons driving accessibility for new players.
Universes Beyond crossovers are becoming a major pillar of the brand, from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth to Fallout and Final Fantasy.

These shifts show how Wizards of the Coast is balancing tradition with experimentation, something that hasn’t always been without controversy, but undeniably keeps MTG in the cultural conversation.

Universes Beyond: A Proven Draw

When Universes Beyond was first announced, fans were split and in many cases still are. Some love the idea of blending their favorite franchises with Magic’s gameplay, while others worry it could dilute the game’s identity. Lord of the Rings and Final Fantasy were able to get a lot of player buy-in but there is still work to be done.

Two armored characters with swords face off amid swirling clouds and debris, sparks flying. They appear intense and determined.

UB sales success proved two things:

Crossover appeal is real. Bringing in outside franchises can attract new players and collectors.
Magic can handle it. The mechanics and gameplay remained faithful to what players expect.

Universes Beyond is also a significant contributor to overall revenue for Wizards of the Coast.

Set / Timeframe	Revenue Generated
LOTR: Tales of Middle-earth (6 months)	$200M+
Final Fantasy (in 1 day)	$200M+
Overall Magic (2023)	$1.08B
Q2 2025 (Magic segment)	$412M (vs. $336M in Q2 2024)
Q1 2025 (Wizards segment overall)	+46% revenue growth

With Spider-Man on deck, Wizards is clearly betting big that superheroes will spark the same excitement and bring in loads of money.

The Current Player Landscape

With the recent shakeup in standard and the release of Edge of Eternities, there has been some concern over power creep. Are overly powerful cards becoming easier to use? The jury is still out but it is something to keep an eye on as the first core set of 2026, Lorwyn Eclipsed, gets prepped to launch.

Magic’s player base is broader than ever:

Collectors are driving demand for special treatments like serialized cards and alternate art.
Commander players are hungry for flavorful cards that fit into their decks and drive the format forward.
Competitive players keep formats like Modern, Pioneer, and Standard alive, even if they don’t dominate headlines the way Commander does.

This diversity is both Magic’s strength and its challenge. Wizards has to cater to many types of players without overwhelming them, which is difficult to juggle.

Spider-Man Swings In

So what does Spider-Man mean for Magic right now?

Superhero leaping with guitar on stage, surrounded by cheering crowd. Vibrant orange and red background, energetic rock concert scene.

Pop culture synergy. Spidey is one of the most recognizable superheroes in the world, giving Magic another chance to reach audiences who may have never shuffled a deck before.
Flavorful design opportunities. From web-slinging combat tricks to iconic villains like Green Goblin or Venom, the set is poised to bring new mechanics and thematic fun.
A test of sustainability. Each Universes Beyond release raises the question: can Magic keep introducing new crossovers without losing its own identity?

The State of Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering is entering its Spider-Man moment at a time when the game is thriving, evolving, and yes, being debated more than ever. The set represents another step in Wizards’ strategy of expanding MTG’s reach while keeping its core gameplay intact.

We want to hear your thoughts on the state of the game. Are you happy with the direction? Are UB sets watering down the game you love? Let us know in the comments below!